My tips for cycling in France

[Dave Davenport]

This is a handy web site showing all the municipal campsites http://www.camping-municipal.org/camping-france.htm

 

[Jimmy Doug]

This is a handy web site showing all the municipal campsites http://www.camping-municipal.org/camping-france.htm

This is an excellent resource. It'd be really good if I could add it to the first post - but it's a sticky so I can't!

 

[Mandragora]

Thanks for all the brilliant advice and details on here - I will have a thorough read of it later, when I can go through it properly, but even just a ten minute browse has been really informative. ( I want to 'love' rather than 'like' the link to all the municipal sites above - you have no idea how many times we've tried to find that information...)

Anyway - is it ok if I ask a quick question here about a (very small!!) jaunt I'm thinking about doing when we're in Les Landes next week, or should I start a separate thread about it? (Basically I'm hoping for a few bits of info re specific logistics of taking my bike on a train, and some details about the particulars of a route I'm thinking of. More a day trip for a cautious, lone newbie than a tour..)

 

[Jimmy Doug]

Anyway - is it ok if I ask a quick question here about a (very small!!) jaunt I'm thinking about doing when we're in Les Landes next week, or should I start a separate thread about it?

I suggest you start a new thread - you've got a better chance of getting a reply from someone who knows the area if you do. Taking a bike on a train in France really depends on the area and the type of train you want to take. Most trains will accept bikes no probs, but with the TGV there can be issues.

 

[Hill Wimp]

I suggest you start a new thread - you've got a better chance of getting a reply from someone who knows the area if you do. Taking a bike on a train in France really depends on the area and the type of train you want to take. Most trains will accept bikes no probs, but with the TGV there can be issues.

I second that about the TVG. A few weeks ago they wanted me to box up my tourer and pay an extra 100euros to go between Reims and Lille.

I didn't do i hasten to add.

 

[Vertego]

Hopefully another French venture in about 4 weeks.

2 blokes, 2 bikes and more than a few hills! Without a doubt, the 700 mile drive down to Pyrennees-Orintales is well worth it. We park up on arrival and hopefully the car won't move for 2 weeks.

Our wives are more than happy to get us out from under their feet, and we are more than happy to enjoy the trappings of cycling in France, which of course has to be shared with a few beers, a few more glasses of wine and the occasional mid-ride coffee. Can't wait.

 

[suzeworld]

We just got back from Provence .. the drive is 1500km each way for us, but totally, totally, totally WORTH IT!
If anyone is going to the Sault area I have mapped some good routes there, some with guidance from a local cycling enthusiast fellah whose tips were very good ...
If you follow this one you can see all my others:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/811179841

 

[suzeworld]

yello
did you try to find work?

 

[Maxime]

I second that about the TVG. A few weeks ago they wanted me to box up my tourer and pay an extra 100euros to go between Reims and Lille.

I didn't do i hasten to add.

Some TGV (not all accept bikes), but you have to pay 10€ more to be allowed to carry your bike.

http://help.uk.voyages-sncf.com/en/taking-your-bike

 

[Shadow]

the drive is 1500km each way

Off topic from thread title but has relevance to tourists!
Presumably you did not do this in one hit, so do you have any recommendations of places to stay en route?

 

[PaulSB]

I don't know about suzeworld but the drive is doable in one hit at around 800 miles. We used to do this when much younger in an Espace full of three kids.

We'd drive two hours on, two hours off. Used to take 12-13 hours including stops.

Today I'd take a week and lots of hotels and cafes!

 

[Vertego]

We shall be driving down to Ceret (about 720 miles) on Friday. The drive down will probably be split over 2 days, so we arrive at around 2 or 3pm on Saturday. Just in time to unload the bikes etc. and familiarise ourselves with the area, although I'm already quite familiar. And possibly get out for an hour or 2's ride. The drive home will be done in one hit, with ample leg stretching breaks (and coffees).

 

[Trickedem]

Myself and @ianrauk are flying down to Geneva then cycling back to Kent over a week. I think we will be in Switzerland for about a mile, the rest will be in France. I'm really looking forward to this trip.

 

[Vertego]

What's the car park charges when you pick up your car back in Kent?

Ride sounds like fun.

Perhaps one year we shall ride down and/or back rather than drive.

 

[ianrauk]

What's the car park charges when you pick up your car back in Kent?

Ride sounds like fun.

Perhaps one year we shall ride down and/or back rather than drive.

We are cycling all the way home. Funnily enough, apart from the first day which is climbing over the Juras, from Dover to home is one of the hillier days.